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Disabled Access Guide for High Elms Country Park and Local Nature Reserve
Shire Lane
Farnborough
Kent
BR6 7JH
Tel: 01689 862815
Fax: 01689 861347
Email: countrysideandparks@bromley.gov.uk
Web: http://www.bromley.gov.uk/leisure/parksandoutdoor
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Introduction
Services/facilities within the building include the country park and nature reserve including the Tramper Trail route, the BEECHE Education and Visitor Centre and the Green Roof Cafe.
Related link BEECHE.
Related link Green Roof Cafe.
Location
The venue is situated outside the centre of the village.
This venue is situated in Farnborough.
The venue is not on a road with a steep gradient.
The nearest mainline Railway Station is Chelsfield.
There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
Parking (Main Car Park)
This venue does have its own car park.
Parking is free for all users.
The car park is at the northern tip of the park.
The car park type is open air/surface.
Parking spaces for Blue Badge holders do not need to be booked in advance.
There are 4 designated parking bay(s) within the car park.
The dimensions of the designated parking bay(s) are 3.5m x 5m (11ft 5in x 16ft 4in).
The nearest designated bay is 7m (22ft 11in) from the main car park entrance.
The furthest designated bay is 14m (15yd) from the main car park entrance.
The route from the car park to the entrance is accessible to a wheelchair user with assistance.
Assistance may be required because there is/are slopes/ramps.
The car park surface is tarmac.
The patron does not have to cross a road.
The car park does not have a height restriction barrier.
There is not a designated drop off point.
There is another car park, located further down High Elms Road past the golf course, called the Cuckoo Wood car park.
The park is located on both sides of High Elm Road at this point
Cuckoo Wood car park does not contain any designated bays.
Outside Access (Main Car Park Entrance)
There is not level access to the service.
The main doors open (no doors).
The door opening is 118cm (3ft 10in) wide.
The path just inside the entrance leads up to the BEECHE Centre, cafe and Countyside Office as well as the trails around the park.
Level Change (Main Car Park Entrance)
There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.
The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.
The ramp or slope is easy.
The ramp or slope is permanent.
There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
Inside Access
There is not level access to the service.
Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
Photograph 2 shows part of the Look, Touch and Smell Trail, located close to the main car park entrance.
The park has 2 'Trampers' available to hire, free of charge.
These are all terrain mobility vehicles which allow visitors to access areas regular wheelchairs could not.
There are 2 routes, called Tramper Trails, through the park recommended for the Trampers.
Level Change (Inside Access)
There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.
The ramp or slope is located throughout the park.
The ramp or slope is permanent.
There are easy, moderate and steep slopes throughout the park.
The path leading to the BEECHE Centre, cafe and Countyside Office (photograph 1), and the Look, Touch and Smell Trail are sufaced.
The Tramper Trail (photograph 2) has a loose chippings surface, and there are many other unsurfaced paths in the park.
Outside Access (Countryside Office Entrance)
There is not level access to the service.
The bell is not in a suitable position to allow wheelchair users to gain access.
The main doors open towards you (pull).
The doors are single width.
The doors are heavy.
The door opening is 77cm (2ft 6in) wide.
The Countryside Office is located next to the BEECHE Centre, not far from the main car park.
Visitors can get park information here when BEECHE is not open to the public.
| Day | Opening Times (Countryside Office) |
|---|---|
| Monday | 08:30 - 16:30 |
| Tuesday | 08:30 - 16:30 |
| Wednesday | 08:30 - 16:30 |
| Thursday | 08:30 - 16:30 |
| Friday | 08:30 - 16:30 |
| Saturday | 08:30 - 16:30 |
| Sunday | 08:30 - 16:30 |
The office is not always staffed.
Level Change (Countryside Office Entrance)
There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.
The ramp or slope is located left of the entrance as you face it.
The ramp or slope is moderate.
The ramp or slope is permanent.
There is a level landing at the top of the ramp.
The width of the ramp or slope is 118cm (3ft 10in).
There are steps to access this area/service.
The steps are located to the right of the entrance as you face it.
There are 4 steps to the area/service.
The steps are not clearly marked.
The steps are medium.
The steps do have handrails.
The handrails are on both sides.
The ramp overcomes the steps and has handrails both sides.
Outside Access (Cuckoo Wood Car Park Tramper Trail Entrance)
There is not level access to the service.
The main doors open towards you (pull).
The doors are single width.
The doors are heavy.
The door opening is 125cm (4ft 1in) wide.
A RADAR key is required to open this gate.
Without a key this becomes a kissing gate, 123 cm wide.
There are several more kissing gates which can be opened via a RADAR key along the Tramper Trail.
A RADAR key can be accessed from BEECHE or the Countyside Office.
Level Change (Cuckoo Wood Car Park Tramper Trail Entrance)
There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.
The ramp or slope is located in front of the entrance.
The ramp or slope is steep.
The ramp or slope is permanent.
There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
Adapted Toilet
There are adapted toilets within this venue designated for public use.
Location of and access to adapted toilets
The toilet is not for the sole use of disabled people.
There is Braille signage on or near the toilet door.
There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
The adapted toilet is 106m (116yd) from the main car park entrance.
The adapted toilet is located in the toilet block, on the far side of the Countyside Office building.
There is not level access to the adapted toilet.
Features and dimensions of adapted toilets
This is a unisex toilet.
A key is not required for the adapted toilet.
The door opens outwards.
The door is locked by a sliding bolt.
The width of the adapted toilet door is 95cm (3ft 1in).
The door is light.
The dimensions of the adapted toilet are 141cm x 170cm (4ft 7in x 5ft 6in).
Floor manoeuvring space is clear in the adapted toilet.
There is a lateral transfer space.
As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
The lateral transfer space is 62cm (2ft ).
There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
There is not a flush on the transfer side.
The tap type is twist/turn.
There is not a mixer tap.
There is not a functional emergency alarm available.
No emergency alarm is fitted in the cubicle.
Disposal facilities are not available in the cubicle.
There is not a coat hook.
Position of fixtures in adapted toilets
Wall mounted rails are not available.
There is not a shelf within the adapted toilet.
There are mirrors in the adapted toilet.
Mirrors are not placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 44cm (1ft 5in).
There is a hand dryer.
The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
The hand dryer is placed higher than 100cm.
The hand dryer is 108cm (3ft 6in) high.
There is a toilet roll holder.
The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm.
There is a sink.
The sink cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
The sink is placed higher than 74cm.
The sink is 80cm (2ft 7in) high.
Colour contrast and lighting in adapted toilets
The contrast between the internal door and wall is good.
The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
The contrast between the drop down rails and wall is poor.
The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
Lighting levels are medium.
Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
The baby change facilities are located in the adapted toilet.
The height of the baby change table once extended is 104cm (3ft 4in).
Standard Toilet
Availability and Location of Standard Toilets
Standard toilets are available.
Access to Standard Female and Male Toilets
The female and male toilets are located in the toilet block.
The female and male toilets are 107m (117yd) from the main car park entrance.
Inside the venue, there is not level access to the female and male toilet.
Lighting levels are medium.
Level Change (Toilet Block Entrance)
There is a ramp or slope to access this area/service.
The ramp or slope is located leading to the toilet block.
The ramp or slope is easy.
The ramp or slope is permanent.
There is not a level landing at the top of the ramp.
The width of the ramp or slope is 98cm (3ft 2in).
There are steps to access this area/service.
The steps are located in front of the toilet block entrance.
There are 1 steps to the area/service.
The steps are not clearly marked.
The steps are shallow.
Additional Information
Staff do receive disability awareness training.
Documents are not available in Braille.
Documents are not available in large print.
Registered assistance dogs are welcomed.
A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not generally on duty.
This service cannot be requested.
Staff are not Text Relay aware.
Children are welcomed at the venue.
The photograph shows the 2 'Trampers' available to hire.
